Foldable liquid container with supporting frame

ABSTRACT

A foldable liquid container includes a foldable supporting frame, a foldable container body arranged on the foldable supporting frame, and a switch device arranged on the foldable supporting frame to be operated to transform the foldable supporting frame between an unfolded mode and a folded mode in a single puling operation. The foldable container body is able to be folded with the folding of the foldable supporting frame. The foldable supporting frame is supported and secured in the unfolded mode by means of the switch device, wherein the switch device can be operated to release the engagement of the foldable supporting frame while transforming from the unfolded mode to the folded mode.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a non-provisional application that claims the benefit ofpriority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to Chinese applications, applicationnumber 201810575375.9, filed Jun. 6, 2018, application number201820871770.7, filed Jun. 6, 2018, application number 201820871648.X,filed Jun. 6, 2018, and application number 201820871354.7, filed Jun. 6,2018, which entire contents are expressly incorporated herein byreferences.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable appliance, and moreparticularly to a foldable liquid container comprising a liquidcontainer body and a liquid container supporting frame which areequipped in a foldable manner that they are able to be folded andunfolded together by a single pulling operation.

Description of Related Arts

Household rigid container, especially large size receptacle, is popularto be used as basin, bathtub or swimming pool for bathing, cleaning orplaying purpose. Since this kind of container needs to have space largeenough to hold at least a child or pet inside while having enough spaceto contain water or cleaning liquid, the conventional container isgenerally made in larger size. This kind of rigid container isconvenient for most families to enable one to use water in somewheredesired. But, the conventional liquid containers also take wider spacefor using water, usually in outdoor area or bathroom.

Even though such relatively large container is not required to be usedeveryday, it is bulky for storage and carrying when it is not in use.The conventional container is usually made of plastic integrally in onepiece. Some containers are made inflatable which have to be kept indoorsto avoid sun and rain and prevent plastic aging. In other words, theowner of the conventional container is required to reserve a relativelylarge space for storing the rigid container. Therefore, a lot of userswill also store various stuffs inside the rigid container to savestoring space but it is also very troublesome to remove the stuffsinside the container before the next use of the rigid container.

One of the disadvantages of the conventional rigid container is thatcleaning the container is laborious. Before using or after using, thecontainer has to be cleaned for hygienic problem. Not only inside thecontainer, but outside the container is required to be cleanedcarefully. Otherwise, the container will be a wonderful incubationchamber for bacteria. Any residual liquid in the bowl shapedconventional container is a good environment for growing germs.

The drawback of the conventional inflatable container is the need to beinflated before every usage, that requires an extra air pump tocomplete. Generally, more than five minutes is needed to set thecontainer in predetermined place, to open up, to inflate air and so on.Once the skin of the inflatable container is cracked, such as there is ahole in the container, the container becomes non-inflatable. If the sizeof the hole is small, it is hardly to be found for patching and timeconsuming to find out where is the air leaking. It requires much moretime to sealedly patch a larger hole or even it is non-repairable but toabandon the container with no choice when it is seriously damaged.

Another disadvantage is that the container is made to be placed on theground while using. Thus, the height of the container requires the userto bend down or squat by its side when using the container. In addition,the liquid contained in the container may also face risks of beingpolluted by soil or dirt on the ground that adversely affects the lumbarhealth of the user and the sanitation of cleaning or playing.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein a foldable liquid containerbody is equipped with a foldable supporting frame in such a manner thatthe liquid container body can also be folded up by folding up thesupporting frame through a single pulling operation for easy storing.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the foldable liquid containerbody is able to be unfolded simply by unfolding the foldable supportingframe and supported securely at a desired height by the unfoldedsupporting frame.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the foldable liquid containerbody and the foldable supporting frame are equipped to be folded uptogether to minimize their sizes to save storage space when they are notusing for ease of storage and carrying.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the foldable liquid containerbody has a larger size while unfolded for usage and a smaller size whenit is folded up for storage and carrying.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the supporting frame is capableof being folded up by a single pulling operation while the foldableliquid container body is folded up by the folding up supporting frame aswell at the same time automatically, such that no extra force oroperation step is needed to fold up the liquid container independently.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the liquid container body iscapable of being unfolded by a single pulling operation of thesupporting frame, such that no extra force or operation step is neededto unfold and set up the foldable liquid container body and the foldablesupporting frame at the same time for containing water or cleaningliquid inside the liquid container body.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the foldable liquid containerbody is easily to be stored after pulling to fold to minimize its sizesuch that multiple folded liquid containers are able to be stacked upfor saving storage space.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the folded liquid container iseasily and quickly unfolded with a single action without any tool ormachine to save time and steps before using.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the liquid container body iscapable of draining the water or cleaning liquid out of the foldableliquid container body completely and leaving no residual while foldingup, wherein the folded liquid container is also adapted for flushingclean conveniently.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the foldable liquid containeris easily to wash by flushing after use and is easily dried which isgood for long-term storage.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein when the liquid container bodyis leaking, it is obvious to find where to be patching for continuouslyusing.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the foldable supporting frameis adaptable for replacing another foldable liquid container body to besupported for sustainably using.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable liquidcontainer with supporting frame, wherein the foldable liquid containerbody is supported at a predetermined height from the ground by thefoldable supporting frame for sanitary cleanness while using the wateror cleaning liquid contained in the liquid container.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a set of foldableliquid container and supporting frame, wherein the liquid container issupported at a predetermined height by the supporting frame for the userto operate the liquid container comfortably without bending andkneeling.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by a foldable liquid container set, whichcomprises:

a foldable supporting frame constructed to be folded and unfoldedbetween a folded mode and an unfolded mode;

a foldable container body equipped with the foldable supporting frame,wherein the foldable container body is constructed to be folded andunfolded between a folded mode and unfolded mode and supported by thefoldable supporting frame; and

a switch device arranged on the foldable supporting frame to be operatedto transform the foldable supporting frame between the folding mode andthe unfolded mode by a single pulling operation of the switch, whereinthe foldable supporting frame is supported in the unfolded mode whileholding by the switch, wherein the switch is able to be operated torelease support to the foldable supporting frame while transformed tothe folded mode.

The switch device is operated by pulling a handle disposed on thefoldable container body to fold the foldable supporting frame, whereinthe foldable container body is equipped with the supporting frame thatthe foldable container body is folded and unfolded at the same timetogether with the folding and unfolding of the supporting framerespectively.

In one embodiment, the foldable supporting frame comprises at least twofolding arms and at least four supporting legs supporting the foldingarms, wherein the folding arms are pivotally connected to each otherwith the switch and the supporting legs are constructed to follow thefolding arms to pivotally rotate.

In one embodiment, the folding arm further comprises a switching rodsupported by the switch to limit the movement of the folding arm of thesupporting frame in the unfolded mode.

In one embodiment, each of the supporting legs has a lengthcorrespondingly for raising the height of the container body.

In one embodiment, the foldable container body comprises a surroundingwall and a bottom base sealedly connected with the surrounding wall toform a bowl shape body, wherein the bottom wall has an outfall todischarge liquid inside the foldable container body.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable liquid container in anunfolded mode according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foldable liquid container in afolded mode according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the foldable liquid container in thefolded mode according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the switch device of the foldableliquid container according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable liquid container inapplication according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C are perspective views illustrating the unfoldingoperation of the foldable liquid container according to the abovepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are perspective views illustrating the foldingoperation of the foldable liquid container according to the abovepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foldable liquid container accordingto an alternative mode of the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B are perspective views illustrating the unfoldingoperation of the foldable liquid container according to the alternativemode of the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B are perspective views illustrating the foldingoperation of the foldable liquid container according to the alternativemode of the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments areprovided in the following description only as examples and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principlesdefined in the following description would be applied to otherembodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applicationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 10B, a foldable liquid container accordingto a preferred embodiment is illustrated. The foldable liquid containeris adapted for containing water or cleaning liquid therein to functionas a bathtub, a swimming pool or the like. The foldable liquid containercomprises a foldable supporting frame 10, a switch device 20 adapted tobe operated to transform the foldable supporting frame 10 between anunfolded mode and a folded mode by a single pulling operation, and afoldable container body 30 arranged on and equipped with the foldablesupporting frame 10. In other words, the foldable container body 30 isable to be unfolded for containing liquid therein for using when thefoldable supporting frame 10 is unfolded. And, when the foldablesupporting frame 10 is folded to the folded mode, the foldable containerbody 30 is folded with the supporting frame 10 together at the sametime, such that the whole foldable liquid container is capable of beingfolded up for ease of storage and carrying.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the foldable container body 30 is fixedlyarranged on the foldable supporting frame 10 according to the preferredembodiment. The foldable container body 30 is equipped to be driven tobe folded or unfolded by the foldable supporting frame 10. The foldablecontainer body 30 is adapted to be unfolded and prepared to be used whenthe foldable supporting frame 10 is unfolded. It is worth mentioningthat simply a single pulling operation applied to the foldablesupporting frame 10 can unfold the foldable liquid container. No extrastep is required to open up the container body 30 independently or toenhance the stability of supporting the foldable container body 30. Whenthe foldable supporting frame 10 is operated to be unfolded, thefoldable container body 30 is unfolded at the same time. Similarly, thefoldable container body 30 can be folded up simply by folding thefoldable supporting frame 10, wherein the folding of the foldablesupporting frame 10 will drive the container body 30 to be folded uptogether at the same time. Therefore, it is so easy to operate oftransformation of the foldable liquid container between the folded modeand the unfolded mode.

As shown in FIG. 3, the foldable supporting frame 10 comprises at leasttwo U-shaped container arms 11, at least two C-shaped folding arms 12and at least two pairs of supporting legs 13, wherein the container arms11 are cooperatingly linked with the folding arms 12 through thesupporting legs 13 which support both the folding arms 12 and thecontainer arms 11. Preferably, the number of the container arms 11, thefolding arms 12 and the supporting legs 13 are correspondingly designed,wherein each of the container arms 11 and each of the folding arms 12are correspondingly supported by the supporting legs 13.

It is worth to mention that the folding arms 12 are pivotally connectedto each other by the switch device 20. And, the folding arms 12 iscapable of driving the container arms 11 and the supporting legs 13 tofold or unfold following the movement of the folding arms 12. The twofolding arms 12 are capable of overlapping with each other to fold upwith the foldable supporting frame 10 in the folded mode, as shown inFIG. 2, and extending horizontally to 180 degrees with each other tounfold with the foldable supporting frame 10 in the unfolded mode, asshown in FIG. 1. Therefore, as the folding arms 12 is folded up, thecontainer arms 11 and the supporting legs 13 are driven to follow thefolding arms to be folded up as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, it is soconvenient that simply by folding up the folding arms 12, the wholefoldable supporting frame 10 is folded. And, when the foldablesupporting frame 10 is folded, the foldable container body 30 is drivento fold up as well.

Referring to in FIG. 3, the switch device 20 is connected between thetwo folding arms 12 in an end to end manner with each other fortransforming the folding arms 12 to be folded and unfolded. The switchdevice 20 is constructed to be operated by pulling to transform thefolding arms 12 from the unfolded mode into the folded mode. In otherwords, when the foldable supporting frame 10 is in the unfolded mode,the switch device 20 can be pulled to change the situation of thefolding arms 12, and that the supporting force of the folding arms 12 isreleased and the folding arms 12 can be unfolded and folded by means ofgravity. Therefore, the foldable supporting frame 10 can be foldedsimply by pulling the switch device 20 such that the foldable supportingframe 10 can be folded up simply by a single pulling operation.

Specifically, the folding arms 12 are pivotally connected with eachother at the ends thereof around a pivot rod 121. The pivot rod 121 ismounted on the switch device 20. The two folding arms 12 are pivotallymounted to the switch device 20 while the switch device 20 limits therotation of the folding arms 12 about the pivot rod 121 against eachother. According to the preferred embodiment, one of the folding arms 12is fixed to the switch device 20 as a fixed arm 1202, and the otherfolding arm 12 is relatively pivoted against the switch device 20defined as a free arm 1201, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The fixed arm1202 is mounted on the switch device 20 by the pivot rod 121 while thefree arm 1201 is movably connected to the switch device 20 for pivotallyrotating about the pivot rod 121.

It is worth mentioning that two end portions of the free arm 1201further transversely connected with a switching rod 122. When the twofolding arms 12 are unfolded in 180 degrees with each other in ahorizontal manner, the switching rod 122 is supported by the switchdevice 20 securely with the free arm 1201 horizontal to the fixed arm1202, that is the free arm 1201 and the fixed arm 1202 are on the sameplane horizontally. When the switching rod 122 is securely engaged bythe switch device 20, the free arm 1201 is supporting against the fixedarm. When the switch device 20 retains to engage with the switching rod122, the free arm 1201 is unfolded and retained in parallel with thefixed arm 1202. When the engagement of the switching rod 122 and switchdevice 20 is released, the free arm 1201 is able to be rotated about thepivot rod 121 due to gravity towards the fixed end so as to fold up thetwo folding arms 12. In other words, as the switching rod 122 issupported and engaged by the switch device 20, the folded arms 12 areunfolded and securely locked up its unfolded position due to theengagement and limitation of the switch device 20. Once the switchingrod 122 is detached and released from the switch device 20, the foldedarms 12 are capable of rotating about the pivot rod 121 untiloverlappingly folded up. Thus, the switch device 20 does control themovement of the folded arms 12, as well as the folding or unfolding ofthe foldable supporting frame 10 is operated substantially by the switchdevice 20.

Furthermore, the two pairs of the supporting legs 13 are pivotallyconnected with the two folding arms 12 respectively through four pivotalshafts 130. As the folding arms 12 are capable of pivotally rotatingabout the pivot rod 121 that the angle and distance between the foldingarms 12 may change and the supporting legs 13 are driven to rotate aboutthe pivotal shaft 130 while folding and unfolding of the foldablesupporting frame 10. Each of the supporting legs 13, each of the foldingarms 12 and the pivotal shaft 130 pivotally connecting the folding arm12 with the corresponding supporting leg 13 form a X-shape framestructure. Since the movement of the folding arms 12 is transmitted tothe supporting legs 13, it is unnecessary to move the supporting legs 13to fold or unfold the supporting frame 10.

In addition, the foldable supporting frame 10 further comprises a pairof folding units 110, wherein two top ends of one pair of the foursupporting legs 13 are pivotally connected to one of the folding units110 respectively, as shown in FIG. 3, while two ends of each of theU-shape container arms 11 are pivotally connected to the two foldingunits 110 respectively and four end portions of the two container arms11 are respectively linked with the four supporting legs 13 in such amanner that the two container arms 11 are driven by the two pairs of thesupporting legs 13 to rotate about the two folding units 110 to beselectively folded up to the folded mode as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 orunfolded to the unfolded mode, having 180 degrees between the twocontainer arms 11, as shown in FIG. 1, to form a ring shaped containerrim with the folding units 110. As the two pairs of the supporting legs13 are driven to rotate about the two folding units 110 to fold orunfold with the folding or unfolding movement of the two folding arms12, the two container arms 11 linked to the two pairs of the supportinglegs 13 are driven by the two pairs of the supporting legs 13 topivotally rotate about the two folding units 110 respectively to fold orunfold at the same time too. Each pair of the supporting legs 13, havingtop ends thereof pivotally connected with the respective folding unit110 and mid portions thereof pivotally connected with the folding arms12, form a A-shaped foldable frame as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Thefolding or unfolding of the folding arms 12 will automatically driventhe foldable supporting frame 10 to be folded or unfolded without theneed to operate the supporting legs 13 since the movement of the twofolding arms 12 will drive the two pairs of the supporting legs 13 torotate about the two folding units 110 respectively to open up to form apair of A-shaped foldable frames or to close up to be parallel with eachother as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the folding units 110comprises a folding base 111 and a linkage configuration 112. Each ofthe folding bases 111 has a U-shaped cross section such that two ends ofeach of the container arms 11 are pivotally connected to first sides ofthe two folding bases 111 respectively while two ends of the othercontainer arms 11 are pivotally connected to second sides of the twofolding bases 111 respectively, wherein the four top ends of the twopairs of the supporting legs 13 are pivotally connected to middleportions of the two folding bases 111 enabling the first pair of thesupporting legs 13 being rotatable about one of the folding bases 111 toform the first A-shaped foldable frame while the second pair of thesupporting legs 13 being rotatable about the other folding base 111 toform the second A-shaped foldable frame, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Thelinkage configuration 112 comprises two pairs of arm holders 1121respectively mounted between the four mid portions of the two pairs ofthe supporting legs 13 and the four end portions of the two containerarms 11 respectively, as shown in FIG. 3, wherein one end of each armholder 1121 is pivotally mounted to the mid portion of the respectivesupporting leg 13 and another end of each arm holder 1121 is pivotallymounted to one end portion of the respective container arm 11, such thata maximum angle is formed between the container arm 11 and thecorresponding supporting leg 13 when the foldable supporting frame 10 isin the unfolded mode, as shown in FIG. 1, that the container arms 11,the pair of supporting legs 13 and the pair of arm holders 1121 form anA-shape structure, and that a minimum angle is formed between thecontainer arm 11 and the corresponding supporting leg 13 when thefoldable supporting frame 10 is in the folded mode, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3, that the the supporting legs 13 and the container arms 11 arefolded to collapse in parallel manner, wherein the container arms 11 andthe supporting legs 13 are linked by the arm holders 1121 to movetogether about the folding bases 111.

Preferably, the folding arms 12 is able to be folded by operating theswitch device 20 by releasing the switching rod 122 from the engagementwith the switch device 20 in order to fold up the supporting legs 13 andthe container arms 11. Preferably, the container arms 11 is able to beunfolded by driving the folding arms 12 to be supported by the switchdevice 20 and driving the supporting legs 13 to be unfolded too.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,referring to FIGS. 1-3, in order to further raise the height of thecontainer arms 11 and keep the container body 30 mounted on thecontainer arms 11 at a more comfortable operation position as shown inFIG. 5, the supporting frame 10 further comprises a pair of U-shapedlengthening legs 14, wherein four upper ends of the two lengthening legs14 are connected with four bottom ends of the four supporting legs 13respectively. With the leveling of the pair of lengthening legs 14, thefoldable container body 30 is supported at a predetermined heightstaying away from the ground for relative sanitary cleanness while usingwater or cleaning liquid contained in the foldable container body 30.The user can comfortable use the foldable liquid container withoutbending or kneeling.

The foldable container body 30 comprises a surrounding wall 31 and abottom base 32 sealedly connected with the surrounding wall 31 toconstruct a bowl shape body. A peripheral edge of the surrounding wall31 is mounted on the container arms 11 of the foldable supporting frame10 so as to support the foldable container body 30 on the foldablesupporting frame 10. In an alternative mode of the invention, thefoldable container body 30 is detachable arranged on the container arms11 for ease of replacement. The foldable container body 30 furthercomprises at least one pocket 33 extended outwardly and downwardly fromthe periphery edge of the surrounding wall 31. The pocket 33 is adaptedto hold other cleaning tools therein for conveniently grabbing and usingduring the cleaning and playing in the liquid contained in the containerbody 30.

It is worth mentioning that the bottom wall 32 has an outlet 322 formedfor discharging liquid inside the container body 30. Preferably, theoutlet 322 is provided at an area comparatively low than other area forefficiently draining. The outlet 322 is adapted to connect a drain-pipe40 to direct the liquid to flow out of the container body 30 along acertain path. A plug is adapted to cover the outlet 322 while containingliquid in the container body 30 and is detachable to open the outlet 322for discharging the liquid in the container body 30.

The foldable container body 30 further comprises a handle 321 at thebottom base 32 to connect with the switch device 20 for operation offolding up the folding arms 12 by pulling the handle 321 upwards.

As shown in FIG. 4, the switch device 20 comprises a main body 21, aslider 22 slidably mounted in the main body 21 and a resilient member 23connected between the main body 21 and the slider 22 so as to fasten theslider 22 inside the main body 21 in a slidable manner. The main body 21is structured and shaped to hold the ends of the folding arms 12. Inparticular, the main body 21 pivotally holds the free arm 1201 andfastens the fixed arm 1202 such that the free arms 1201 is capable ofrotating about the main body 21, that is to fold up to parallel with thefixed arm 1202 or to unfold to 180 degrees with the fixed arm 1202. Itis worth mentioning that the resilient member 23 provides a resilientforce normally pushing against the slider 22 to retain an end portion ofthe slider 22 protruded out of the main body 21, wherein the end portionof the slider 22 protruded out of the main body 21 is capable ofsupporting the folding arms 12 in position during the unfolded mode.When the slider 22 is pushed into the main body 21 to compress theresilient element 23 until the end portion of the slider 22 moves insidethe main body 21, the supporting of the folding arms 12 is released andthus the folding arms 12 is moveable and able to be rotated around theswitch device 20 (rotating about the pivot rod 121 according to thepreferred embodiment) to the folded mode. When the folding arms 12 areno longer be supported by the slider 22 of the switch device 20, thefolding arms 12 are able to be folded to overlap with each other.

In other words, when the free arm 1201 is rotated to be supported by theslider 22 to be the same plane with the fixed arm 1202, the folding arms12 are unfolded to have generally 180 degrees therebetween and thefoldable supporting frame 10 is in the unfolded mode. When the slider 22is pressed to move inside the main body 21, the supporting of the freearm 1201 by the slider is released and the free arm 1201 is able to befolded to parallel with the fixed arm 1202 and the foldable supportingframe 10 is in the folded mode.

According to the preferred embodiment, the main body 21 has tubular twofixed arm chambers 211 provided at two sides thereof, two C-shaped freearm chambers 212 provided adjacent and parallel to the two fixed armchambers 211 respectively and a slot-like slider chamber 213 formedbetween the two free arm chambers 212. The end portions of fixed arm1202 are inserted in the fixed arm chambers 211 and fastened by thepivot rod 121 which is traversely extended through the main body 21,wherein the end portions of the free arm 1201 are extended in the freearm chambers 212 respectively and are pivotally connected by the pivotrod 121 so that the free arms 1201 are able to be rotated to fold andunfold about the pivot rod 121 with respect to the stationary fixed arms1202. In other words, the end portions of the free arm 1201 and the endportions of fixed arm 1202 are both held in position by the pivot rod121 with the main body 21 of the switch device 20. The fixed arm 1202 isheld in stationary manner in the fixed arm chambers 211 of the main body21 and the free arm 1201 is mounted in a pivotally movable manner in thefree arm chambers 212 of the main body 21 for rotating about the pivotrod 121 in one direction to fold up to parallel with the fixed arm 1202,as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6A, while the main body 21 also preventing thefree arm 1201 to rotate about the pivot rod 121 in the other directionduring the unfolded mode, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6C. The slider 22 isslidably disposed inside the slider chamber 213 to be moved in or out ofthe slider chamber 213 under the resilient force of the resilient member23.

The switching rod 122 arranged outside the main body 21 is capable ofapplying a pressing force to the slider 22 to push the slider 22 to moveback in the slider chamber 213, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C. When thefree arm 1201 is rotated about the pivot rod 121 to unfolded, as shownin FIGS. 6A and 6B, the switching rod 122 is lifted up to apply a forceto the slider 22 and press the slider 22 to move back into the sliderchamber 213. When the switching rod 122 is engaged with the slider 22without forcing, as shown in FIG. 6C, the slider 22 is remained beingpushed out of the slider chamber 213 by the resilient member 213 and theend portion of the slider 22 is protruded out of the main body 21 again,wherein the switching rod 122 is supported by and engaged with theprotruded end portion of the slider 22 while the foldable supportingframe 10 is in the unfolded mode and thus the switching rod 122 is notable to push the slider 22 to move into the slider chamber 213 but toapply its weight on the slider 22 to reinforce the engagement of theswitching rod 122 and the end portion of the slider 22. As long as theend portion of the slider 22 is retained being protruded out of the mainbody 21, the switching rod 122 is remained being supported by the slider22 of the switch device 20, so that the free arm 1201 and the fixed arm1202 of the folding arms 12 are unfolded to be extended horizontally onthe same plane in a flat and stable manner, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and6C.

The end portion of the slider 22 is a supporting end portion 221 havingan inclined shape adapted for the switching rod 122 to push thesupporting end portion 221 to move towards the slider chamber 213. Thesupporting end portion 221 supports the switching rod 122 on the slider22 and bears the weight of the switching rod 122 without being pushedback.

The slider 22 further comprises a pulling portion 222 which is adaptedto be securely connected to an elongated pulling member 24. By pullingthe pulling member 24, the slider 22 is pressed to moved into the sliderchamber 213 and compress the resilient member 23.

The slider 22 further comprises a stopper 223 upwardly protruded withrespect to a position of a stopper window 2133 formed in the main body21 to communicate the slider chamber 213 with outside, wherein thestopper 223 is arranged to be positioned in the stopper window 2133while the slider 22 is inserted in the slider chamber 213 of the mainbody 21 so as to install the slider 22 in the slider chamber 213 andprevent the slider 22 from being pushed out of the slider chamber 213 bythe resilient member 23. In other words, the slider 22 is limited by thestopper window 2133 and guided to move in and out of the slider chamber213 by the stopper 223 which is limited to be sliding within the stopperwindow 2133 and the resilient member 23 is retained inside the sliderchamber 213 by means of the stopper 223 for applying an out pushingforce against the slider 22 to retain the supporting end portion 221being protruded out of the main body 21. Also, the in and out movementof the slider 22 within the slider chamber 213 is limited by the stopperwindow 2133 to move along a predetermined path and distance along theslider chamber 213. According to the preferred embodiment, the sliderchamber 213 further has at least one sliding slot 2134 formed on atleast one side of the slider chamber 213 and the slider 22 furthercomprises at least one sliding rail 224 protruded on at least one sidethereof which is adapted to be slidable inserted and engaged in therespective sliding slot 2134 when the slider 22 is installed in theslider chamber 213 so as to limit and guide the direction and distanceof sliding movement of the slider 22.

The two ends of the slider chamber 213 of the main body 21 form asupporting end opening 2131 facing the free arm 1201 and a pullingopening 2132 facing the fixed arm 1202. The end portion of the slider 22is extended to protrude out from the supporting opening 2131 with thepushing force of the resilient member 23, wherein the end portion of theslider 22 is able to be forced by the switching rod 122 to pull backinto the slider chamber 213 towards the pulling opening 2132. Since theslider chamber 213 has the stopper window 2133 provided on top of themain body 21 to receive the stopper 223 of the slider 22, the stopperwindow 2133 is capable of guiding and limiting the stopper 223 to bemoving within and along the stopper window 2133. In other alternativemode of the embodiment, the stopper window 2133 is able to be shaped inform of a slot to limit the movement of the stopper 223.

The pulling member 24 is extended from the pulling portion 222 of theslider 22 through the pulling opening 2132 to the outside of the mainbody 21. When the pulling member 24 pulls the slider 22 back into theslider chamber 213, the supporting end portion 221 is moved back whilethe stopper 223 is limited by the stopper window 2133 to avoid overmovement.

According to the preferred embodiment, one end of the pulling member 24is connected to the handle 321 of the bottom base 32 of the containerbody 30 while the other end of the pulling member 24 is connected to thepulling portion 222 of the slider 22. Therefore, as the handle 321 ispulled to lift the container body 30, the pulling member 24 transmitsthe force to pull the slider 22 to move inside the slider chamber 213.In other words, only a single pulling operation step of pulling thehandle 321 of the container body 30 is required, the switch device 20 isoperated to fold up the supporting frame 10.

In particular, the relationship and movement of unfolding the foldableliquid container according to the preferred embodiment are illustratedin FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C.

To unfold the foldable liquid container, the container arms 11 is openedflatly to be on the same plane as shown in FIG. 6C from the folded modeas shown in FIG. 6A when the foldable liquid container is required to beused. The container arms 11 will lead the supporting legs 13 to move tobe unfolded around the folding unit 110. The supporting legs 13 drivethe folding arms 12 to be opened up around the pivotal shaft 130. Inother words, the folding arms 12 are forced to rotate about the pivotalshaft 130 with the movement of the supporting legs 13. When the foldingarms 12 are unfolded to be horizontally extended on the same plane andhaving generally 180 degrees with each other, the folding arms 12 arerotated about the pivot rod 121. The folding arms 12 are supported bythe switch device 20 to limit further movement.

In particular, as the free arm 1201 is rotating away from the fixed arm1202, the free arm 1201 is rotated to be supported by the slider 22 ofthe switch device 20 and be the same plane with the fixed arm 1202, thefolding arms 12 is unfolded flatly to have generally 180 degrees witheach other, such that the foldable supporting frame 10 is in theunfolded mode. As the free arm 1201 is rotating, the switching rod 122is lifted to apply force on the supporting end portion 221 of the slider22. Then, the slider 22 is pushed to move back into the slider chamber213, and the switching rod 122 is continually lifted over the slider 22.The slider 22 is pushed out the slider chamber 213 by the resilientmember 23 until the supporting end portion 222 of the slider 22 isprotruded out of the slider chamber 213 again. Then, the switching rod122 is supported by and engaged with the protruded supporting endportion 222 of the slider 22, wherein, in this situation, the switchingrod 122 is not able to push the slider 22 back but to apply its weighton the slider 22, so that the folding arms 12 are unfolded with stablysupported by the switch device 20 and the foldable supporting frame 10is in the unfolded mode as well. The container body 30 is opened up bythe unfolded container arms 11.

Accordingly, with the unfolding of the container arms 11 of the foldablesupporting frame 10, the folding arms 12 are supported by the switchdevice 20 stably and the container body 30 is opened following themovement of the container arms 11.

In addition, the relationship and movement of folding of the foldableliquid container according to the preferred embodiment are illustratedin FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C.

To fold up the foldable liquid container, the handle 321 may simply bepulled to lift the container body 30, and then the pulling member 24transmits the force to pull the slider 22 to move back inside the sliderchamber 213. When unfolded the folding arms 12, the supporting endportion 221 is supporting the switching rod 122 on the plane to bear theweight of the switching rod 122 without being pushed back. When theslider 22 is driven to move back into the slider chamber 213 andcompress the resilient member 23, the switching rod 122 of the foldingarms 12 loses the support of the end portion of the slider 22 and thefree arm 1201 is able to be rotated about the pivot rod 121 to overlapwith the fixed arm 1202 and fold up the supporting frame 10.

When the folding arms 12 are folded up to be parallel with each other,the container arms 11 and the supporting legs 13 are driven to be foldedup too, wherein the folding arms 12 are rotated to force the supportinglegs 13 moving around the pivotal shaft 130. In other words, thesupporting legs 13 which are linked with the folding arms 12 are rotatedto fold up with the folding arms 12 and the container arms 11 are forcedto rotate about the folding units 110 to be folded up too.

In view of above, simply by pulling the pulling member 24 to operate theswitch device 20, the support of the folding arms 12 by the switchdevice 20 is released and the folding arms 12 will fall down and fold updue to gravity. Then, the supporting legs 13, the container arms 11 andthe container body 30 are folded together following the folding up ofthe folding arms 12. Accordingly, the foldable liquid container can befolded by means of a single pulling operation.

Referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10B, an alternative mode of the preferredembodiment of the present invention. The different between thealternative mode and the above preferred embodiment is that thecontainer body 30′ is detachably arranged on the foldable supportingframe 10′. It is worth mentioning that the container body 30′ can be anyconventional container that is suitable to be carried by the foldablesupporting frame 10′.

The foldable supporting frame 10′ comprises at least two folding arms12′ and at least four supporting legs 13′. Preferably, the number of thefolding arms 12′ and the supporting legs 13′ are correspondinglydesigned to well support the container body 30′, wherein each of thefolding arms 12′ is correspondingly supported by a pair of thesupporting legs 13′.

Furthermore, two of the supporting legs 13′ are pivotally connected witheach other by a pivotal shaft 130′ according to the alternative mode ofthe preferred embodiment. And, the supporting legs 13′ are linked withthe folding arms 12′ and forced to rotate about the pivotal shaft 130′with the folding arms 12′. As shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, as thefolding arms 12′ are rotating about the pivot rod 121′ to be folded orunfolded, the angle and distance between the folding arms 12′ willchange accordingly and the supporting legs 13′ are driven to rotateabout the pivotal shaft 130′ too.

According to the alternative mode of the preferred embodiment, there aretwo switch devices 20 mounted on the two folding arms 12′ respectively.The switch devices 20 may have the same structure and function as theabove preferred embodiment. But the switching rod 122′ may bedifferently designed and shaped, wherein the switching rod 122′ isintegrally formed with the folding arms 12′ while being supportive.

In addition, the relationship and movement of the unfolding of thefoldable liquid container according to the alternative mode of thepreferred embodiment are illustrated in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B.

The foldable supporting frame 10′ can be opened from the folded mode tothe unfolded mode. The folding arms 12′ drive the supporting legs 13′ torotate about the pivotal shaft 130′ to unfold. Also, the supporting legs13′ are capable of driving the folding arms 12 to be opened up asrequired. When the folding arms 12′ are unfolded to be on the same planewith each other, the folding arms 12′ are rotated about the pivot rod121′ and the folding arms 12′ are supported by the switch devices 20 tolimit further downwards or upwards movement of the folding arms 12′ bythe supporting legs 13′ and the pivotal shaft 130′.

In particular, as one of the folding arms 12′ is rotating towards theother folding arm 12′, the switching rod 122′ is lifted and applies aforce on the supporting end portions 221 of the sliders 22. Each of thesliders 22 is supported on the side portion of the switching rod 122′ sothat the switching rod 122′ is symmetrically supported by the two switchdevices 20. Then each of the sliders 22 is pushed to move back into theslider chamber 213, and the switching rod 122′ is continually liftedover the sliders 22. Each of the sliders 22 will be pushed out theslider chamber 213 again by the resilient member 23 until the supportingend portion 221 is protruded out of the slider chamber 213 again. Andthen, the switching rod 122′ is supported by the protruded supportingend portions 221 of the sliders 22 of the two switch devices 20, suchthat the switching rod 122′ are not able to push the sliders 22 back butto apply its weight on the sliders 22. So, the folding arms 12′ areunfolded and stably supported by the switch devices 20. Accordingly, thefoldable supporting frame 10′ is in the unfolded mode as well. Thecontainer body 30′ is capable of being placed on the folding arms 12′.

Correspondingly, by unfolding the folding arms 12′ or the supportinglegs 13′ of the foldable supporting frame 10′, the folding arms 12′ aresupported by the switch devices 20 stably while the switching rod 122′is capable of bearing the container body 30′.

In addition, the relationship and movement of the folding of thefoldable liquid container according to the alternative mode of thepreferred embodiment are illustrated in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B

To unfold the folding arms 12′, the supporting end portions 221 of thesliders 22 substantially support the switching rod 122′ and bear theweight of the switching rod 122′ while preventing the sliders 22 frompushing back into the slider chambers 213 respectively. In order to foldup the foldable liquid container, simply by pulling the pulling member24′ to push the sliders 22 to move back inside the slider chambers 213to compress the resilient members 23 respectively, the switching rod122′ of the folding arms 12′ will lose support by the supporting endportions 221 of the sliders 22 such that the folding arms 12′ will falldown and rotate about the pivot rod 121′. In other words, one of foldingarms 12′ will drop down and rotate about the pivot rod 121′ that drivesthe supporting legs 13′ to rotate about the pivotal shaft 130′ too. Inother words, the supporting legs 13′ are rotated to fold up with thefolding arms 12′ together.

In view of above, simply by pulling the pulling members 24 to operatethe switch devices 20, the folding arms 12′ lost their support by theswitch devices 20. Then, the folding arms 12′ can thus be folded up dueto gravity, the supporting legs 13′ are folded up following the foldingup of the folding arms 12′. Accordingly, the foldable liquid containercan be folded up by a single pulling operation.

In another alternative mode of the preferred embodiment, the two pullingmembers 24 can be connected together in an end-to-end manner, so thatonly one of the pulling members 24 is needed to operate the two switchdevices 20, and the two ends of the two pulling members 24 are securelyfastened on the sliders 22 respectively, wherein by pulling one pullingmember 24, both switch devices 20 can be operated simultaneously.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable liquid container, comprising: afoldable supporting frame arranged to be operated between an unfoldedmode and a folded mode; a switch device arranged on said foldablesupporting frame to operate said foldable supporting frame between theunfolded mode and the folded mode by a single pulling operation; and acontainer body arranged on said foldable supporting frame, wherein saidcontainer body is constructed to be folded up with a folding of saidfoldable supporting frame and unfolded with an unfolding of saidfoldable supporting frame, wherein when said foldable supporting frameis unfolded, said foldable supporting frame is supported in the unfoldedmode by said switch device, wherein said switch device is able to beoperated to release the support of said foldable supporting frame whensaid foldable supporting frame is operated from the unfolded mode to thefolded mode.
 2. The foldable liquid container, as recited in claim 1,wherein said switch device is coupled with said container body in such amanner that said foldable supporting frame is able to be folded up bythe single pulling operation applied on said container body.
 3. Thefoldable liquid container, as recited in claim 1, wherein said containerbody is coupled with said foldable supporting frame in such a mannerthat said container body is able to be unfolded with an unfolding ofsaid foldable supporting frame.
 4. The foldable liquid container, asrecited in claim 3, wherein said foldable supporting frame comprises twofolding arms pivotally connected with each other through said switchdevice such that said two folding arms are able to be pivotally rotatedabout said switch device for folding and unfolding, wherein saidfoldable supporting frame comprises two folding arms and at least foursupporting legs, wherein each of said two folding arms is supported byand linked with two of said supporting legs, such that said supportinglegs are able to be operated to fold and unfold following the foldingand unfolding of said two folding arms.
 5. The foldable liquidcontainer, as recited in claim 4, wherein said foldable supporting framefurther comprises a pivotal shaft which pivotally connects saidsupporting legs with said two folding arms, wherein when said twofolding arms are rotated to between the folded mode and the unfoldedmode, said supporting legs are driven by said two folding arms to rotateabout said pivotal shaft to fold or unfold correspondingly.
 6. Thefoldable liquid container, as recited in claim 4, wherein said foldablesupporting frame further comprises a switching rod which is mounted ontwo ends of one of said two folding arms in such a manner that saidswitching rod is able to be supported by said switch device to limitmovement between said two folding arms of said supporting frame in theunfolded mode.
 7. The foldable liquid container, as recited in claim 6,wherein said foldable supporting frame further comprises a pivot rod topivotally connect said two folding arms such that said two folding armsare able to be rotated about said pivot rod to fold and unfold saidfoldable supporting frame.
 8. The foldable liquid container, as recitedm claim 7, wherein said pivot rod is mounted on said switch device. 9.The foldable liquid container, as recited in claim 7, wherein one ofsaid two folding arms is fixed on said switch device as a fixed armwhile the other of said two folding arms is rotatable about said switchdevice with respect to said fixed arm as a free arm, wherein said freearm is movably supported on said switch device around said pivot rod.10. The foldable liquid container, as recited in claim 9, wherein saidswitching rod is transversely connected between two ends of said freearm such that when said two folding arms are unfolded, said switchingrod is supported by said switch device and said free arm is unfolded tobe on the same plane with said fixed arm.
 11. The foldable liquidcontainer, as recited in claim 10, wherein said switch device isoperable to release the support of said switching rod such that whensaid switch is operated to release said switching rod, said free arm isable to fall down and rotate about said pivot rod due to gravity towardssaid fixed arm in order to fold up said free arm and said fixed arm. 12.The foldable liquid container, as recited in claim 10, wherein saidswitch device comprises a main body having a slider chamber, a sliderslidably mounted in said slider chamber of said main body and aresilient member received in said slider chamber to apply a pushingforce against said slider to normally keep a supporting end portion ofsaid slider being protruded out of said main body.
 13. The foldableliquid container, as recited in claim 12, wherein said main body isstructured and shaped to connect said two folding arms in a foldablemanner.
 14. The foldable liquid container, as recited in claim 12,wherein said free arm is rotatably connected to said main body and saidfixed arm is securely connected to said main body.
 15. The foldableliquid container, as recited in claim 14, wherein said main body has twofixed arm chambers and two free arm chambers, wherein two end portionsof said fixed arm are fastened inside said two fixed arm chambers bysaid pivot rod respectively, wherein two end portions of said free armare extended in said two free arm chambers and pivotally connected bysaid pivot rod such that said free arm is able to be rotated to fold andunfold about said pivot rod with respect to said fixed arm.
 16. Thefoldable liquid container, as recited in claim 15, wherein saidsupporting end portion of said slider has an inclined shape adapted forsupporting said switching rod to bear a weight of said switching rodwithout being pushed back into said slider chamber.
 17. The foldableliquid container, as recited in claim 16, wherein said slider comprisesa pulling portion securely connected to a pulling member, wherein oneend of said pulling member is connected to a handle disposed on saidcontainer body while another end of said pulling member is connected tosaid pulling portion of said slider, wherein said switch device isoperated by pulling said handle to fold up said foldable supportingframe.
 18. The foldable liquid container, as recited in claim 17,wherein by pulling said pulling member, said supporting end portion ofsaid slider is moved back into said slider chamber to compress saidresilient member to release the support of said folding arms so as tofold up said foldable supporting frame.
 19. The foldable liquidcontainer, as recited in claim 17, wherein said foldable supportingframe further comprises a pair of lengthening legs which are detachablyconnected to bottom ends of said four supporting legs respectively forfurther raising a height of said container body.
 20. The foldable liquidcontainer, as recited in claim 17, wherein said container body comprisesa surrounding wall and a bottom base sealedly connected with saidsurrounding wall to shape said container body in bowl shape, whereinsaid bottom wall has an outlet for discharging liquid contained insidesaid container body.